The ‘No Poo’ Project: Day 35

After giving up shampoo for a month, I’m finally convinced that “no poo” just might be the best way to achieve a healthy head of hair. For those following my experiment, you know that I struggled with greasy hair–or at least I thought my locks looked as if I rubbed them down with a stick of butter. Now I have finally realized that my mind was playing tricks on me.

Want to get rid of the frizz? Ditch the shampoo!

Last Tuesday, I appeared on the local television talk-show “View from the Bay” and I was concerned about my hair being noticeably greasy on screen. I guiltily broke a “no poo” rule and applied a small amount of shampoo only to the hair framing my face; I shampooed with stuff I had been using before the experiment: 365 Grapefruit from Whole Foods.

After my hair dried, it was frizzy and stray strands stuck out from either side of my head. My hair felt parched and fried. It was as if the shampoo had sucked all the moisture out of each and every piece.

When I arrived at the KGO-TV studio, I sat down with the makeup artist (a nice woman from Cinta Salon in S.F.) and she said the fly-away hairs surrounding my face would be disastrous on camera. I must be vain because I allowed her to coat my tresses with hairspray. I didn’t want to look like a nightmare on TV! When she was done, my hair appeared as it does when I’m ‘no poo.’ She tamed the frizz. But if I hadn’t used the damn shampoo I wouldn’t have needed the hairspray! Isn’t that ironic?

I had another “no poo” realization at that moment. It dawned on me that my hair probably hasn’t been as greasy-looking as I think. I was still clinging to the idea that my mop must be gross and disgusting because I’m not lathering it with soapy suds regularly–and that day I was able to let go of this myth. Now, I’m fully embracing the idea that hair washed with merely warm water, a little lemon or baking soda, and conditioner is clean. My hair isn’t feeling so greasy any more. Rather it seems moisturized and healthy.

While I drag on about my hair, I’ll bring up the fact that many readers have labeled me as vain in the comments on my “no poo” posts. This is fair to say about anyone who rambles on about her hair and posts pictures of her mane on the Internet. But I have to admit that as a mother who wears the same pair of jeans every day, who never puts on makeup, and who used to leave the house most mornings to drop off her kids without ever brushing her hair, it feels great to care about my appearance–or at least a small aspect of it–for a change. I just might start painting my toenails. Hmmm…But I wonder what chemicals are in nail polish? Formaldehyde?

To read the full “no poo” story, click here. And be sure to check out this SFGate Facebook page where readers are sharing tips and tricks on going “no poo.”